Scientists find cause of battery degradation: A discovery by researchers at Ohio State University could help pav...

A discovery by researchers at Ohio State University could help pave the way for better batteries for electric and hybrid cars. Studying used lithium ion batteries, Ohio engineers have discovered that as the batteries age, lithium accumulates in the ‘current collector’-a sheet of copper which facilitates electron transfer between the electrodes and the car’s electrical system. This knowledge could aid in improvements in battery design for cars and lead to enhanced performance and battery life. The study, which appears in a recent issue of the journal Scripta Materialia, is part of an on-going collaboration between Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Bharat Bhushan and Suresh Babu, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. The University’s team is trying to determine the factors that limit battery life. “Our study shows that the copper current collector plays a role i...